ok. I have been scammed two times over the last 3 months. kinda feeling like a total idiot right now, but I think I am more angry than anything reading some of the other stories.

First is Marriott Ronald (who, by the way is supposedly a married couple).
I had 2 diamond engagements rings for sale on Craigslist, and this person (or people), Marriott contacted me almost instantly wanting to buy both rings for the amount of $2500 PLUS the cost of domestic shipping and insurance. That was in March. On Monday, June 5th, after months of excuses as to why the payment hadn't made it here yet, I received 7 USPS money orders in the amount of $850 each. Supposedly, their employer mistakenly sent his/her entire salary to me instead of just the amount I had asked for the rings. I have to be honest, I was extremely suspicious of this entire deal from the start so when I went to my bank today and the routing numbers would not clear I was not all that surprised. I have to say, I am really shocked I even got the payment - because not even one week ago I told them out right I thought they were scamming on me and I did not trust them. Well, now I have these money orders that are no good and am now getting constant emails from them demanding that I deposit them into my account immediately and Western Union the overage to their daughter in London. I looked up the address they provided, and it is in Piccadilly Circus. I looked up the phone number, and it does not exist. I started to look at the package and the money orders, and noticed even more things that do not add up. The return address on the FedEx package is from a place called Genes Variety in Mass., which I did look up and it is real, but when I called their number listed online it is a fax number. Interestingly enough, the package didn't even ship from Mass, it came from Colorado. There is only a name in the "from" section of the money order - Peter Edward, Inc. this name I have never heard before. I called the postal inspection office for my area, and I have to call back during business hours tomorrow to file a complaint and verify with USPS that these are counterfeit. In the meantime, I don't really know what to do about these emails I am getting from this "Marriott" character, so until I get some information from the postal inspector, I am ignoring them. I don't even know if any legal action can be taken - I would just LOVE to catch them. LUCKY ME- I refused to send out the rings until the payment had been accepted into my account and funds released.

As if that wasn't enough....
I was looking for a roommate on rent.com in May and got an email from Milena D. Crawford telling me she was looking to move to that area soon and wanted all sorts of information like my address and such to have her former employer (who conveniently still owed her money) send a check to me and wanted me to wire the overage to her in Germany. Because I was already dealing with the Marriott deal and had just had the roommate from hell, I was uber suspicious. I told her that I would absolutely NOT give an address or any further information until she could provide me with 2 personal and 2 professional references that I could call and verify before I would decide I would want her as a roommate. She kept sending me the same email template with a "description" of herself, repeating how "loyal" she is. She pressed a little more for my address and I flat out said "if you cannot provide the requested references we can no longer continue this conversation" and I have not heard from her since.

These people really suck, and it sucks even more that people are too lazy to go out and get real jobs instead of scamming on the rest of us all day.

You havent been scammed yet, as you have not lost any money. You've handled the second scam attempt well, having learnt from the first. The firts scammer will probably give up when he realises you know it's a scam, but expect to receive some threats to try to make you comply with his demands.

in my opinion, I have still been scammed. The intent is there, they both ran the same sort of scam that many others have fallen prey to. I am still being harrassed by these people, not only by email, but by phone now as well (I have had 5 phone calls from the "Marriott" people today). I feel really bad about what has happened to me, but even worse for those who have lost something. Isn't there anything that can be done? some sort of legal action?

You are in a far better position than others who fallen for these scam attempts and lost thousands of dollars. Reporting these scams to the relevant authorities is useless if the scammers are in Nigeria, as that puts them outside the jurisdiction of U.S authorities.

agreed, I am lucky in that I have lost nothing monetary. I turned the money orders and the FedEx package over to the Postal Inspectors office and the local police department today. They have taken a report for the harassing phone calls and they are saying they will do what they can to find out more information from the jurisdiction where the package came from. It will probably fall into a black hole... like all of the rest of them. It would just be nice to see one of them get caught.

Please don't let the below happen to you. It almost happened to us. We found a deal to good to be true on craigslist. it was for a great apartment at much less then the other apartments near by.1-If it sounds to good to be true it IS!!!

We found a deal for a 2 bedroom 2 bath is jersey city for 1400, something this nice in this specific area (paulis hook) should be 2500.

I thought we should google rent.com scam and we realize we just missed being out $2800!!!!

We then went to rent.com and it says they never handle money! We are expecting a call from this scammer tomorrow... I don't know what we should do, but at least they don't have our money. however they do have our phone numbers, current address, and where we work.

I hope this helps prevent someone from getting screwed from this person!

I have removed all of our info and replaced with stars.***

hello again,

I just managed to forward your details at rent.com and I hope they will

contact you with more details and instructions soon. It is not designed

to force you or anything. I apologize if I'm moving too fast but I need

to rent this apartment as soon as possible. The rental department will contact you with the temporarily agreement and with all the instructions to secure the place.I will have the apartment available for at least 3-4 years from now since I definitely moved in Hawaii so you can stay as long as you need.

After you will inspect the apartment and if you decide you want to move

in, we will sign a binding contract on 1 year ( even 2 or 3 if you are willing) and we can renew it after that time passes. If you will decide

you want to pass and start looking for another place, Rent.com will refund you same day.You will have to confirm at Rent.com a cycle of 2 months. After your payment confirmation they will contact me and we will meet for an inspection. From that point, if you will decide to rent the apartment, Rent.com will release me the funds and, in case you will decide to pass

it, they will refund you the same day. No security deposit required.The whole process takes less than a day and I will be contacting you over the phone the very next minute I hear something positive from Rent.com and schedule a meeting so you can inspect the apartment whenever is best for you. Also you will only pay this first cycle of rent through the rental department, after that (after we will have a contract) you will pay the rent directly into my bank account once at every 2 months.My situation being difficult as I'm in Hawaii forces me to require that refundable deposit confirmed. That will ease my mind that I'm meeting a

serious person and I'm not flying hundreds of miles for nothing.I have attached pictures with the apartment for you to review. The place is now partially furnished with nice and modern furniture, but you also

have the option to rent it unfurnished. Either way you want to rent it is fine for me as I have were to store the furniture, just let me know if you need it unfurnished. As for the pictures, I am sorry but those are all I have at this point as I did not knew until recently that I have to look for a new tenant.

Thank you,Hope to hear from you soonP.S: I am sure you will like the place a lot and we will get along great.

***** wrote:> Hello Ashley,>> Thank you so much for the information. We are> seriously interested in going forward and will be> happy to submit the deposit to rent.com and also make> the payments for 2 months in advance as you request. >> We definitely understand your desire to find a> trustworthy and respectful tenant in your absence. > Honestly, we have been looking at apartments in Jersey> City for the past few months and realize the great> value that you are offering. ***** and I would be> delighted to care for the property in anyway needed. > We take great pride in our living environment and are> both clean freaks. We are very responsible and> trustworthy.>> Let me know if you need anything else...references,> resumes, shoe size and we'll get it to you. >> Our address: ************> You can call anytime...I am sure it is difficult with> the time change.>> With appreciation,> ****>>> --- Ashley Lewis <ashley.lewisss@gmail.com> ha> scritto:>> >> Hello,>>>> I am contacting you regarding this property:>> 389 Washington Blvd #9A>> Jersey City, NJ 07302 >> 2 Beds/2 Baths and 1100 sq ft.>> Rent: 1400$/ month>> I have posted the ad for 5 days on Rent.com and also>> on Craigslist so I >> don't know exactly were you found my ad, but I am>> working with Rent.com >> rental department to rent the place. I have chosen>> to rent the apartment >> through this service offered by the rental>> department which offers a >> fast and safe way to rent a place by holding and>> processing payments as >> a third party. Prior to start posting ads on the>> Internet, I have signed >> an agreement with them and also payed all the fees>> for this service. You >> don't have to pay any fees at rent.com for this>> process. Due to the fact >> that I already payed their fees, used this service>> for 2 times by now >> and also feel very comfortable with them I will not>> bypass this step.>> Right now I am working as a hotel manager in Hawaii>> and decided to rent >> this apartment. The price in that area for an>> apartment like this is >> between $3,500.00 and $3,000.00/month. I'm asking>> only $1400/month but I >> need a serious and trust worthy person to rent to. I>> currently have >> someone inside (a bookkeeper from a local bank) and>> he is planning on >> leaving this week.>> I will require payment in advance for every 2 months>> which means >> $2,800.00 at every cycle. Rent.com will hold the>> money for the first >> cycle until you inspect the apartment and send them>> your confirmation >> that you wish to rent. I require the payment in>> advance at Rent.com >> because my time is very limited, I don't want to>> disturb my current >> tenant as I will not disturb you in case you decide>> on something >> positive, and I'm sick of tire-kickers - no offence>> but the world is >> full of them and some people are looking for>> interior design ideas only. >> I am looking for someone who not only will pay me>> money but also will >> take care and preserve my property.>> If you're ok with my terms and you wish to proceed>> please forward me >> your full name and address and I will pass them onto>> Rent.com. They will >> contact you with payment instructions in order to>> secure the >> deposit/first cycle. The whole process takes less>> than a day and I will >> be contacting you over the phone the very next>> minute I hear something >> positive from Rent.com and schedule a meeting so you>> can inspect the >> apartment. If you will decide to pass and start>> looking for another >> place, Rent.com will return you the money 100% as I>> will be supporting >> the fees but I'm sure you will like it as everybody>> did.>> >> >> Hope to hear from you soon,>> Ashley Lewis>>>> P.S: Utilities included in the rent: water, gas,>> garbage, Internet, >> cable/TV and parking for 1 car.>> Available to clean and responsible tenants only.>> Well-mannered pets >> considered.>> Minimum stay 8 months up to 36 months.>> If you want I can attach some pictures with the>> apartment for you to >> review.

I wouldn't worry too much about them having your current phone #'s or address as long as you don't bait them along. Your best bet is to ignore them when they call. If you feel the need to answer the phone when they call then just tell them you found something else. Don't accuse them of anything and just leave it simple. They will leave you alone once they figure out they can't get money out of you.

I'm glad you googled the information and found out it was a scam before it was too late.

I am glad I found this post!!We actually came across this ad in Newport area as well, but back then I already felt something was wrong.and today I found out this person (or group) has move on to Manhattan and doing the same kind of scam!!

see her email below:

If we decide to proceed with this transaction, I will have to contact Rent.com and provide them all the necessary information, so they can start the process right away. I will need your full name and address for that. You will receive a notification from Rent.com shortly after that, together with all the instructions to follow and the invoice as well. Regarding the payment, you will be instructed to deposit the money to a Rent.com account. They will hold and insure your money until you check the apartment and decide if you want take it or not. That is how their buyer protection policy works. As far as my concerns, I will be glad to know that Rent.com has the possession of the money during the delivery period. That is my insurance. As soon as the funds have been deposited into their account, they will immediately start the shipping process. The keys and rental contract will be delivered at your address in no more than 3 working days. You will be given a ten days inspection period from the day you receive the keys and contract at home. If you decide to hold the apartment, then you will have to authorize Rent.com to release the funds to me, and the transaction will be completed. If you will not be satisfied with the apartment, you will be able to send the keys and contract back through the same service and ask Rent.com to return the funds to you. Though I am sure you will love the apartment, it is good to know that you do have this second option available. If you wish to proceed with renting the apartment, please provide me your full name and address so I can initiate the deal through Rent.com right away. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Regards,Monica

since I already heard of similar stories at the Newport case, I decided to google it, and see what I found!I wish these scammers are all going to hell

I got the same scam on craigslist. I seemed so not real about how everything was being handled. This person wanted me to send him $900 though Money Gram and he insured me that I would get the money back if I was not satisfied with the apartment. He told me that 'Rent.com' would be holding the money for insurance. I could not buy this. It felt all fake. Here are what he emailed me.

{Ok, If we decide to proceed with this transaction, I will have to contact Rent.com and provide them all the necessary information, so they can start the process right away. I will need your full name and address for that. You will receive a notification from Rent.com shortly after that, together with all the instructions to follow and the invoice as well. Regarding the payment, you will be instructed to deposit the money($ 900) to a Rent.com Agent from United Kingdom. They will hold and insure your money until you check the apartment and decide if you want take it or not. That is how their buyer protection policy works. As far as my concerns, I will be glad to know that Rent.com has the possession of the money during the delivery period. That is my insurance. As soon as the funds have been deposited into their account, they will immediately start the shipping process. The keys and rental contract will be delivered at your address in no more than 3 working days. You will be given a ten days inspection period from the day you receive the keys and contract at home. If you decide to hold the apartment, then you will have to authorize Rent.com to release the funds to me, and the transaction will be completed. If you will not be satisfied with the apartment, you will be able to send the keys and contract back through the same service and ask Rent.com to return the funds to you. Though I am sure you will love the apartment, it is good to know that you do have this second option available. If you wish to proceed with renting the apartment, please provide me your full name and address so I can initiate the deal through Rent.com right away. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Regards.}

I was like, hmmm.... out of the country transaction... I don't think so. I emailed him today that I consulted with a financial specialist about this and told me that it was no good. But in reality, I googled rent.com scams and I got this board. Thank you every one for posting your scam experiences. Cause, many people out there wouldn't know if this was true or not.

Oh and I got this apartment ad on Craigslist.com. That's a dangerous place. No good.

I got the following e-mail after replying to an apartment ad on craigslist (Manhattan, NY section). Luckily I went to the Rent.com website and confirmed that they never handle money or assist with transactions or negotiations in any way. I also reported the incident to craigslist after I found this site and saw how many people got targeted.

Ok, If we decide to proceed with this transaction, I will have to contact Rent.com and provide them all the necessary information, so they can start the process right away. I will need your full name and address for that. You will receive a notification from Rent.com shortly after that, together with all the instructions to follow and the invoice as well. Regarding the payment, you will be instructed to deposit the money to a Rent.com Agent from United Kingdom. They will hold and insure your money until you check the apartment and decide if you want take it or not. That is how their buyer protection policy works. As far as my concerns, I will be glad to know that Rent.com has the possession of the money during the delivery period. That is my insurance. As soon as the funds have been deposited into their account, they will immediately start the shipping process. The keys and rental contract will be delivered at your address in no more than 3 working days. You will be given a ten days inspection period from the day you receive the keys and contract at home. If you decide to hold the apartment, then you will have to authorize Rent.com to release the funds to me, and the transaction will be completed. If you will not be satisfied with the apartment, you will be able to send the keys and contract back through the same service and ask Rent.com to return the funds to you. Though I am sure you will love the apartment, it is good to know that you do have this second option available. If you wish to proceed with renting the apartment, please provide me your full name and address so I can initiate the deal through Rent.com right away. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Regards.

OMG! I almost got scammed too until I forwarded the emails to my sister. She found this great forum for me. In any case to my situation. Two days ago I found an ad on craigslist sayin a 2 BR apt. for $1200 were available in Downtown W54th st. (I actually thought that would be Midtown-west). I contact the person and I had a funny feeling since the person didn't answer any of myquestions regarding the payments. I went back to google to find the ad but ig got flagged. ThenI went to rent.com to find a listing with the address and yes the address and listing exist but the prices starting at like $3000. Here are the emails; I put stars were my name was.

Hello,This is a safe transaction and your money are protected by rent.com.You will pay only your first month rent, you will have ten days inspection period and if you will not be satisfied with the apartment you will be refunded in the same day.You must send me your shipping address and full name so i can inform rent.com.You will receive an invoice from rent.com with all details.Let me know,Brenda

On Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 11:40 AM, *** wrote:

Hey Brenda,

that sounds all wonderfull. Although I have a few more questions. Who will guarantee me that I'll receive my money back in case I decide not to take the apt.? Do I get something like a receipt? Is it one months rent and one months security I would deposit to rent.com? Is there any chance I could view the apt. before depositing my money? Also is there a chance you could send me the link from your listing on rent.com so I can make sure it really exist at rent.com. I'm sorry for my concern, but it is alot of money and I want to make sure it gets in the right hands. I'm really interested in your apartment but I want to make sure that this is no spam. Looking forward hearing from you.

You will receive the contract signed on your name for one year and we can renew it for another one (i will stay here for two years).You will pay your rent monthly, I will pay all the fees to the rent.com. If we decide to proceed with this transaction, I will have to contact Rent.com and provide them all the necessary information, so they can start the process right away. I will need your full name and address for that. You will receive a notification from Rent.com shortly after that, together with all the instructions to follow and the invoice as well. Regarding the payment, you will be instructed to deposit the money to a Rent.com account. They will hold and insure your money until you check the apartment and decide if you want take it or not. That is how their buyer protection policy works. As far as my concerns, I will be glad to know that Rent.com has the possession of the money during the delivery period. That is my insurance. As soon as the funds have been deposited into their account, they will immediately start the shipping process. The keys and rental contract will be delivered at your address in no more than 3 working days. You will be given a ten days inspection period from the day you receive the keys and contract at home. If you decide to hold the apartment, then you will have to authorize Rent.com to release the funds to me, and the transaction will be completed. If you will not be satisfied with the apartment, you will be able to send the keys and contract back through the same service and ask Rent.com to return the funds to you. Though I am sure you will love the apartment, it is good to know that you do have this second option available. If you wish to proceed with renting the apartment, please provide me your full name and address so I can initiate the deal through Rent.com right away. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Regards, Brenda

On Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 7:48 PM, *** wrote:

Hey there,

thank you for your quick response. Is it only temporary, meaning you only subleting it till you come back to the United States? Or is it permanent? A little bit more about myself. I am 23 years old, employed, very responsible, always paying my bills on time. Clean and organized. Currently living in Harlem but looking for something bigger. Yes, is there a chance I can make an appointment to view the apartment? Also how does everything work with rent.com? Do I have to pay them a fee for their service?Hope to hear back from you soon.

Hello, The apartment is available and it's located at 161 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019, with two bedrooms, one living room, two bathrooms and one kitchen, square feet 1132. I really want to find a good and responsible tenant for it and i was hoping if you can send me some personal informations about yourself. The monthly rent of $1,200 will include all utilities such as water, electricity, Internet, cable, parking etc. The only problem is that i had to move with my job to United Kingdom, London where i am now and i left the keys and contract already signed by me at a company called rent.com and they will handle the payment and delivery for us. If you want to know more about how this deal can work please get back to me ASAP and i will send you the details step by step.Thank you and hope to hear back from you.Regards,Brenda

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